Assessment of Groundwater, Soil-Gas, and Soil Contamination at the Vietnam Armor Training ...

66 Pages·2012·11.17 MB·English

Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of the Army Environmental and Natural
Resources Management Office of the U. S. Army Signal Center and Fort Gordon
Assessment of Groundwater, Soil-Gas, and Soil
Contamination at the Vietnam Armor Training
Facility, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2011
Open-File Report 2012–1160
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Geological Survey
Cover. Building on the Vietnam Armor Training Facility property. Photograph by W. Fred Falls, U.S. Geological Survey.
Assessment of Groundwater, Soil-Gas, and Soil
Contamination at the Vietnam Armor Training
Facility, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2011
By Wladmir B. Guimaraes, W. Fred Falls, Andral W. Caldwell, W. Hagan Ratliff,
John B. Wellborn, and James E. Landmeyer
Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of the Army Environmental and Natural
Resources Management Office of the U.S. Army Signal Center and Fort Gordon
Open-File Report 2012–1160
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Department of the Interior
KEN SALAZAR, Secretary
U.S. Geological Survey
Marcia K. McNutt, Director
U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2012

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Suggested citation:
Guimaraes, W.B., Falls, W.F., Caldwell, A.W., Ratliff, W.H., Wellborn, J.B., and Landmeyer, J.E., 2012,
Assessment of groundwater, soil-gas, and soil contamination at the Vietnam Armor Training Facility,
Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2011 (revised from OFR 2011–1200): U.S. Gelogical Survey Open-File
Report 2012–1160, 56 p.
iii
Contents
Abstract ...........................................................................................................................................................1
Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................2
Purpose and Scope ..............................................................................................................................2
Description of the Study Area ............................................................................................................2
Methods...........................................................................................................................................................2
Passive Survey ......................................................................................................................................2
Passive Groundwater Wells Survey .........................................................................................4
Passive Soil-Gas Survey, June 2010 .........................................................................................4
Passive Soil-Gas Survey, July 2011 ..........................................................................................4
Explosives and Chemicals Agents ............................................................................................4
Soil Samples ..........................................................................................................................................4
Results .............................................................................................................................................................7
Passive Groundwater Survey .............................................................................................................7
Passive Soil-Gas Survey, June 2010 ..................................................................................................7
Passive Soil-Gas Survey, July 2011 ...................................................................................................7
Explosives and Chemical Agents .......................................................................................................9
Soil Samples ..........................................................................................................................................9
Summary........................................................................................................................................................17
References ....................................................................................................................................................18
Figures
1. Map showing location of Vietnam Armor Training Facility,
Fort Gordon, Georgia ....................................................................................................................3
2. Photographs showing soil-gas sampler prior to being installed in
a shallow borehole and following retrieval from a borehole and prior
to shipping to the laboratory for analysis .................................................................................4

3–12. Maps showing:
3. Locations of groundwater and soil-gas sampling sites, Vietnam Armor
Training Facility, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2011 ..................................................................5
4. Locations of explosives and chemical agents and soil sampling sites,
Vietnam Armor Training Facility, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010 ......................................6
5. Total petroleum hydrocarbons concentrations in passive groundwater
samplers, Vietnam Armor Training Facility, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010 ...................8
6. Benzene concentrations in passive groundwater samplers, Vietnam Armor
Training Facility, Fort Gordon, Georgia, February 2010 .........................................................10
7. Octane concentrations in passive groundwater samplers, Vietnam Armor
Training Facility, Fort Gordon, Georgia, February 2010 .........................................................11
8. Combined concentrations of undecane, tridecane, and pentadecane in
passive groundwater samplers, Vietnam Armor Training Facility, Fort
Gordon, Georgia, February 2010 ...............................................................................................12
iv
Figures—Continued
9. Total petroleum hydrocarbons mass in soil-gas samplers, Vietnam Armor
Training Facility, Fort Gordon, Georgia, June 2010 ................................................................13
10. Combined masses of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and total xylene
in soil-gas samplers, Vietnam Armor Training Facility, Fort Gordon,
Georgia, June 2010 .....................................................................................................................14
11. Total petroleum hydrocarbons mass in soil-gas samplers, Vietnam Armor
Training Facility, Fort Gordon, Georgia, July 2011 .................................................................15
12. Combined masses of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and total xylene
in soil-gas samplers, Vietnam Armor Training Facility, Fort Gordon,
Georgia, July 2011 .......................................................................................................................16
Tables
Tables located at the back of the report

1. Concentrations of organic compounds detected in passive groundwater
samplers collected from the Vietnam Armor Training Facility, Fort Gordon,
Georgia, 2009–2010 .....................................................................................................................19
2. Mass of organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers collected
from the Vietnam Armor Training Facility, Fort Gordon, Georgia, June 2010 ....................23
3: Mass of organic compounds detected in soil-gas samplers, Vietnam Armor
Training Facility, Fort Gordon, Georgia, July 2011 .................................................................37
4. Mass of explosives and chemical agents detected in soil-gas samplers
collected from the Vietnam Area Training Facility, Fort Gordon,
Georgia, 2009–2010 .....................................................................................................................49
5. Inorganic compounds detected in the soil from land surface to
6 inches below land surface, site 1, Vietnam Armor Training Facility,
Fort Gordon, Georgia, August 30, 2010 ....................................................................................52
6. Inorganic compounds detected in the soil from land surface to
6 inches below land surface, site 2, Vietnam Armor Training Facility,
Fort Gordon, Georgia, August 30, 2010 ....................................................................................53
7. Inorganic compounds detected in the soil from land surface to
6 inches below land surface, site 3, Vietnam Armor Training Facility,
Fort Gordon, Georgia, August 30, 2010 ....................................................................................54
8. Inorganic compounds detected in the soil from land surface to
6 inches below land surface, site 4, Vietnam Armor Training Facility,
Fort Gordon, Georgia, August 30, 2010 ....................................................................................55
9. Inorganic compounds detected in the soil from land surface to
6 inches below land surface, site 5, Vietnam Armor Training Facility,
Fort Gordon, Georgia, August 30, 2010 ....................................................................................56
v
Conversion Factors
Inch/Pound to SI
Multiply By To obtain
Length
inch (in.) 2.54 centimeter (cm)
inch (in.) 25.4 millimeter (mm)
foot (ft) 0.3048 meter (m)
mile (mi) 1.609 kilometer (km)
gallon (gal) 3.785 liter (L)
Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83).

Acronyms and abbreviations

BTEX benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (total)
VTAF Vietnam Armor Training Facility
mg/kg milligrams per kilogram
mL milliliter
μg microgram
μg/L microgram per liter
MDL method detection level
MTBE methyl tert-butyl ether
PAH polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
PCE perchloroethylene (also known as tetrachloroethylene)
RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
RSL regional screening level
SVOC semivolatile organic compound
TCE trichloroethylene
TPH total petroleum hydrocarbon
USEPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
USGS U.S. Geological Survey
VOC volatile organic compound
vi
Assessment of Groundwater, Soil-Gas, and Soil
Contamination at the Vietnam Armor Training Facility,
Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2011
By Wladmir B. Guimaraes,1 W. Fred Falls,1 Andral W. Caldwell,1 W. Hagan Ratliff,2 John B. Wellborn,3 and
James E. Landmeyer1
Abstract above the detection level in 31 of the 71 samplers that were
analyzed. Other volatile organic compounds detected above
their respective method detection levels were naphthalene,
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the
2-methyl-naphthalene, tridecane, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene,
U.S. Department of the Army Environmental and Natural
and perchloroethylene.
Resources Management Office of the U.S. Army Signal Center
After the results of the 71 soil-gas samplers were
and Fort Gordon, Georgia, assessed the groundwater, soil
received, 31 additional passive soil-gas samplers were
gas, and soil for contaminants at the Vietnam Armor Train-
deployed on July 14, 2011, and retrieved on July 18, 2011.
ing Facility (VATF) at Fort Gordon, from October 2009 to
These 31 samplers were deployed on a larger areal scale to
September 2011. The assessment included the detection of
better define the extent of the contamination. Total petroleum
organic compounds in the groundwater and soil gas, and inor-
hydrocarbons were detected above their method detection
ganic compounds in the soil. In addition, organic contaminant
level at all 31 samplers, whereas BTEX was detected above
assessment included organic compounds classified as explo-
its method detection level at 17 of the 31 samplers. Other
sives and chemical agents in selected areas. The assessment
organic compounds detected above their method detection
was conducted to provide environmental contamination data to
levels were naphthalene, 2-methyl-naphthalene, octane,
the U.S. Army at Fort Gordon pursuant to requirements of the
undecane, tridecane, pentadecane, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene,
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Part B Hazardous
1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, chloroform, and perchloroethylene.
Waste Permit process. This report is a revision of “Assess-
Subsequent to the 2010 soil-gas survey, four areas deter-
ment of soil-gas, surface-water, and soil contamination at
mined to have elevated contaminant mass were selected and
the Vietnam Armor Training Facility, Fort Gordon, Georgia,
sampled for explosives and chemical agents. No detections of
2009–2010,” Open-File Report 2011–1200, and supersedes
explosives or chemical agents above their respective method
that report to include results of additional samples collected
detection levels were found at any of the sampling locations.
in July 2011.
The same four locations that were sampled for explosives
Four passive samplers were deployed in groundwater
and chemical agents were selected for the collection of soil
wells at the VATF in Fort Gordon. Total petroleum hydrocar-
samples. A fifth location also was selected on the basis of the
bons and benzene and octane were detected above the method
elevated contaminant mass of the soil-gas survey. No metals
detection level at all four wells. The only other volatile organic
that exceeded the Regional Screening Levels for Industrial
compounds detected above their method detection level were
Soils, as classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection
undecane and pentadecane, which were detected in two of the
Agency, were detected at any of the five VATF locations. The
four wells. Soil-gas samplers were deployed at 72 locations
soil samples also were compared to values from the ambient,
in a grid pattern across the VATF on June 3, 2010, and then
uncontaminated (background) levels for soils in South Caro-
later retrieved on June 9, 2010. Total petroleum hydrocarbons
lina, as classified by the South Carolina Department of Health
were detected in 71 of the 72 samplers (one sampler was
and Environmental Control. Because South Carolina is adja-
destroyed in the field and not analyzed) at levels above the cent to Georgia and the soils in the Coastal Plain are similar,
method detection level, and the combined mass of benzene, these comparisons are valid. No similar values are available
toluene, ethylbenzene, and total xylene (BTEX) was detected for Georgia to use for comparison purposes. The metals that
were detected above the ambient background levels for South
____________________ Carolina, as classified by the South Carolina Department of
1U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia, South Carolina. Health and Environmental Control, include aluminum, arsenic,
2Environmental Branch, Fort Gordon, Georgia. barium, beryllium, calcium, chromium, copper, iron, lead,
3Environmental and Natural Resources, Fort Gordon, Georgia. magnesium, manganese, nickel, potassium, sodium, and zinc.
2 Assessment of Groundwater, Soil-Gas, and Soil Contamination at the Vietnam Armor Training Facility
Introduction Plain Physiographic Province and south of the Fall Line.
Surficial soil and sediments are characterized by unconsoli-
dated sands, indurated sands and semiconsolidated sand-
This report is a revision of and supersedes U.S. Geological
stones, and layers of clay that include kaolinite (Gregory and
Survey Open-File Report 2011-1200, “Assessment of soil-
others, 2001).
gas, surface-water, and soil contamination at the Vietnam
Armor Training Facility, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 2009–2010” to
include results of additional samples taken in July 2011. Fort
Gordon is a U.S. Department of the Army facility located in Methods
east-central Georgia, approximately 10 miles (mi) southwest
of Augusta, Georgia (fig. 1). A cantonment (military housing)
All samples were collected in February, June, and Sep-
area is located at the northwestern boundary of Fort Gordon.
tember 2010, and July 2011, and were analyzed by using stan-
The Vietnam Armor Training Facility (VATF) is located in
dard laboratory practices (U.S. Geological Survey, variously
a relatively flat, open area in the south-central part of Fort
dated). The methods were selected to provide data to deter-
Gordon adjacent to McDuffie Road, near the intersection
with Forestry Road. Little historical information is available mine the presence or absence of contamination in the ground-
about the VATF except that armor training was conducted at water, soil gas, and soil at the VATF. The soil-gas method that
the site (Hagan Ratliff, Applied Services and Informational was used provides results that are qualitative, and the ground-
Systems, Inc., Installation Restoration Program Manager, oral water and soil samples provide quantitative data.
commun., November 6, 2009). Currently (2012), the VATF
site is used by the Fort Gordon Fish and Wildlife Program of
Passive Survey
the Environmental Division of the Fort Gordon Directorate of
Public Works. The site includes several buildings, a parking
The passive survey was conducted by using the GORE™
area, and a wash rack, with built-in drains, where vehicles are
washed. An initial investigation to study the possible contami- Module (module), a commercially available passive diffu-
nation of the soil and groundwater at the VATF is warranted, sion sampler based on GORE-TEX® membrane technology
because no historical information is available about the activi- (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1998; W.L. Gore
ties and use of the site during the Vietnam War era. The site and Associates, Inc., 2004; American Society for Testing
is located in the outcrop area for the Cretaceous-age aquifer and Materials, 2006). The module consisted of an adsorbent
system, which is used for drinking water farther downgradient material placed inside a shoestring-shaped GORE-TEX® tube
(Williams, 2007). Groundwater from the VATF site may dis- (fig. 2A). The adsorbent material can adsorb a wide variety of
charge to streams in the area, enabling potential contaminants
volatile organic compounds (VOC), including solvents such as
to be transported off the Fort Gordon property.
perchloroethylene (PCE; also known as tetrachloroethylene);
trichloroethylene (TCE); benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and
Purpose and Scope xylenes (collectively referred to as BTEX); methyl tert-butyl
ether (MTBE); semivolatile organic compounds (SVOC);
The purpose of this report is to provide the results of the total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH); and polycyclic aromatic
analyses of samples collected by the U.S. Geological Sur- hydrocarbons (PAH), such as naphthalene.
vey, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of the Army The modules were deployed into the area of interest and
Environmental and Natural Resources Management Office of then removed after a specified time period. For the ground-
the U.S. Army Signal Center and Fort Gordon, to assess the
water wells survey, the modules were inserted into water. For
groundwater, soil gas, and soil for contaminants at the VATF
the soil-gas survey and the explosives and chemical agents,
at Fort Gordon, Georgia, from October 2009 to July 2011. The
the modules were tied to a string, attached to a cork plug to
assessment was conducted to provide environmental contami-
prevent the entrance of surface water and ambient surface
nation data to the U.S. Army at Fort Gordon. The assessment
sources of contamination, inserted into a shallow borehole,
included passive samplers deployed in ground-water wells
and later removed. Modules that were deployed in water were
and in the soil in a grid pattern over the generalized extent
of the VATF to determine the presence of organic contami- removed after 1 to 4 hours, whereas modules deployed in
nants, explosives, and chemical agents from the VATF. The the soil were removed after 5 to 10 days. After the modules
presence of inorganic compounds was determined from soil were removed, they were placed in their original 20-mil-
samples. The report presents the analytical results for a total liliter (mL) gas-tight vial (fig. 2B) and sent to a commercial
of 116 sites. laboratory (W.L. Gore and Associates, Inc.) for analysis by
gas chromatography/mass spectrometry using a modification
of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) method
Description of the Study Area
8260/8270 to include thermal desorption of the sample.
The laboratory is in compliance with Good Laboratory
Fort Gordon is an Army facility located in east-central
Georgia, approximately 10 mi southwest of Augusta, Georgia Practices and ISO Guide 25 (International Organization for
(fig. 1). Fort Gordon lies in the northern part of the Coastal Standardization, 1990).